Utran – the first GT26 based CCPP - enhancing environmental friendliness

Alstom completed its first GT26 technology based combined cycle power plant in India for Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL). In 2007, Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL) awarded Alstom a contract worth approximately 175 million euros for the construction of a 370 MW combined-cycle power plant (CCPP) at Utran, Gujarat. The plant is an extension of the existing 135 MW combined-cycle power plant and will add up to appx. 8% to the generating capacity of GSECL. The power will be distributed to help the local industrial infrastructure and also reach farming and other remote communities.

Under the contract, Alstom has provided all engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services to deliver a fully integrated combined-cycle power plant, with gas turbine and generator, steam turbine and generator, heat recovery steam generator, and Distributed Control System (DCS).

Alstom proposed a KA26-1 combined-cycle power plant built as a multi-shaft 1-on-1 configuration. The power plant is the first plant in India that is utilising Alstom's advanced class GT26 gas turbine technology, which, in combined cycle, is the most efficient gas turbine technology on the market. The key benefits of the KA26-1 plant are low cost of electricity production complemented with further value features like operational flexibility, low emissions and the additional advantage of a Long Term Service Agreement (LTSA) to support efficient operation and maintenance.

Alstom has also signed a 15-year contract with GSECL to maintain the power plant at Utran. With the average operating availability of a combined cycle plant in India being 83.72% in 2006-07 as compared to 81.78% in 2005-06, the availability of the Utran plant during its first operational year is guaranteed at a substantially higher level. Even during the years with a gas turbine “large C-inspection”, the guaranteed availability is an improvement over the mentioned national averages.

With the changing scenario of market needs of providing clean, reliable and predictable power generation at the best possible efficiency, the KA26-1 combined-cycle power plant at Utran is best suited to meet GSECL’s challenging needs. Utran marks a countrywide milestone by giving the highest efficiencies in thermal power generation in India whilst maintaining low emission levels.